The little monsters under the sea

Amazing pictures of plankton reveal a very different side to life in the sea and may make you think twice next time you go into the water.

From spider crabs to starfish larvae, these creatures live in their billions off the British coast and have been photographed by Dr Richard Kirby, of the University of Plymouth, for a new exhibition.

'They account for half the world's photosynthesis and help regulate our climate.'Over millions of years dead plankton created our oil and gas reserves and single cell phytoplankton were responsible for the White Cliffs of Dover.

'They also form a food web without which there would be no fish,' added Dr Kirby.

The pictures show the two types of plankton; phytoplankton, which are plant-like, and zooplankton - animals.Despite being less than 2mm long, plankton can be seen from space when they form massive blooms.

'People who see them are surprised because they learn exactly what is in the sea when they go for a swim and what they may swallow,' said Dr Kirby.

Dr Kirby's photographs will tour the Blue Reef, Blue Planet and Deep Sea World aquariums across the country throughout 2009.